Signature machine



F. J. GREENE SIGNATURE MACHINE Sept; 6, 1927. ,641,482

Filed July 28, 1922 I Iig l INVENTOIQQ. fiwaub J A TTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK J. GREENE, 0F RACINE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR 'IO CHRISTENSEN MACHINE ('30., OF RACINE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION" OF WISCONSIN.

SIGNATURE MACHINE.

Application filed July 28,

This invention relates to signature machines, and more particularly to means for adjusting the delivery mechanism of the machine.

In signature machines of the type to which this invention particularly relates, the leaves of the book or pamphlet are secured together by staples and the assembled and stapled book or pamphlet is then adapted to be delivered from the stitching mechanism.

In operation machines of this type are adapted to either automatically assemble or to receive a number'of the leaves in proper order, which leaves are conveyed to the stitching mechanism, whereupon staples are forced through the leaves and clinched to hold the leaves together. After thus being fastened the leaves are moved along a saddle or rail whereupon they are engaged bythe delivery mechanism and discharged from the machine.

This invention has for its particular object to provide means for adjusting the delivery mechanism whereby this mechanism may be made to accommodate books of various thicknesses.

The details of construction and manner of operation of the invention will be made more apparent as the description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings;

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of 'a signature machine showing particularly the delivery mechanism to which this inventionparticularly relates;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary end elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, portions of the same being broken away for the purpose of clearness; and,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal sect1onal view of the delivery roll shaft bearing, taken on the plane indicated by the line 33 in Only so much of the signature machine will be described as is necessary for a complete understanding of this presentdnvention, and by referring to the drawings 1t will be seen that there is illustrated a signature machine having a'frame 10 and a saddle or rail 11, along which are conveyed the signatures. During the travel along th1s saddle they are stapled and are conveyed to the delivery mechanism.

1922. Serial No. 578,229.

This mechanismconsists on the one hand I (Jo-operating with these delivery belts are a Y plurality of delivery rolls 14 mounted upon a.:delivery roll. shaft 15. The assembled book 16 is engaged by the delivery belts and rolls and folded to closed position, whereupon it is deposited on guide rods 17- along which it slides to an endless belt 18, Whereupon the book is carried away to any desired place, ready for binding. It is to be understood that in the operation of these machines, the delivery belts and rolls are adapted to be actuated periodically. v

Heretofore delivery mechanisms for signature machines have been constructed with fixed bearings, and the differences in the thickness of the books have been taken up by the flexibility of the delivery belts 12. How. ever, in some instances it has been found desirable to provide some adjustability for the delivery mechanism so that books of any size might be handled with facility. It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide means for adjusting the delivery roll shaft 15 toward and from the delivery belts 12. I

In accomplishing this the ends of the shaft 15 are mounted in bearing blocks 19 which are disposed in recesses 20 formed in theframe 10. These recesses 20 are of suflicient size to permit of movement of the bearing. blocks.

Threaded into the frame 10, adjacent each bearing block 19, is an adjusting bolt 21, provided with a head 22 and a reduced end 23. Connection between the reduced end of the adjusting bolt and the bearing block 19 is made by providing a plate 24,-shaped to accommodate the end 23 of the adjusting bolt, this plate being preferably secured to the bearing block 19 by machine screws 25 or the like. A lock nut 26 is threaded onto the adjusting bolt 21 and by engagement with the frame 10 locks the bolt 21 in any of its adjusted positions.

Obviously by loosening the lock nut 26 and rotating the bolt 21 the bearing block 19 may be moved toward or from the delivery belts 12. Inasmuch as each end of the shaft 15 is mounted in a bearing block 19 constructed in a similar manner, the shaft, together with the delivery rolls 14, is capable of adjustment toward and from the delivery belts in a manner which will be immediately apparent.

Therefore when books are to be delivered which are relatively thick, the shaft 15 may be moved away from the delivery belts, and in a like manner, when a relatively thin pamphlet or the like is to be delivered the shaft 15 can, with equal facility, be moved closer to the delivery belts 12.

From the foregoing it willbe immediately apparent to those skilled in the art that there is provided an eflieient and practical structure whereby delivery mechanisms of signature machines may be made readily adjustwithoutin any manner disturbing the normal operation of this mechanism. The adjustment may be quickly accomplished and the parts furthermore locked in their adjusted positions,

' WVhile one physical embodiment of the invention is described and illustrated herein it is n otintended that the invention be unnecessarily v limited, but reservation is made to make such changes as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims;

Having thusdescribed the invention what is c a mel 1. In a signature machine, a rail; adelivery belt; a delivery roll adjustable toward and away from said rail and belt; and means for positively holding said roll against movement away from said rail and belt.

2. In a signature machine, frame member; a rail; a delivery belt; a delivery roll adapted to engage said belt; bearing; blocks for said roll slidably mounted in said frame member, whereby said roll may be adjusted toward and from said. rail and belt; and means for positively holding said bearings and roll against movement away from said rail and belt.

3. Tn a signature machine, a frame member; a rail, a delivery belt, delivery roll adapted to engage said belt, bearing blocks for said roll slidably mounted in said frame member, whereby said roll may be adjusted toward and from said rail and belt; and means comprising set screws threadedin said frame member and lock nuts thereon, for positively holding said bearings and roll against movement away from said rail and belt. I

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

FRED-ERICK J. GREENE. 

